Kanile'a Ukulele

Alastar McNeil

I’ve been building instruments now for about 6 years. I find a passion in this art that is hard to find in anything else. I also play music and find that building and playing are two ongoing journeys that both complement each other.

Justin Bright

Howzit! You can call me Jus. I’m from the mountainous region of the Ko’olau Valleys also known as Kahalu’u, ku’u home o Kahalulu. My hobbies include paintball, volleyball, skin diving and anykine beach activities. I’m more than half Hawaiian and was raised the Hawaiian way. So I thought building ukes would be fun! I’ve been making ukes for over two years. Alastar and I are the only employees still with the company from the original shop at the Souza residence. I was able to learn the process from beginning to end. Currently Kevin and I are responsible for to the polyester based finish, we make the ukes shiny! I like working here cause it is fun!

Bill Griffin

“Hawaii and the music of these islands has been a part of my life since the late 1970s when I first came to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. However, my love affair with the ukulele began long before that. My father always brought his ukulele to the beach when I was a kid growing up in southern California during the 1950s. I thought all dads did that. By the age of five I was learning to play, one thing lead to another… and here I am. At 17 I went to work as a guitar tech for C. Bruno & Sons in Los Angeles, the largest musical instrument wholesale house in the world at that time. I was very fortunate to work under David Simpson, a master Luthier and repairman who really started me down this road. Since 1969 I’ve been repairing, designing and building acoustic and electric stringed instruments, toured the U.S. and Europe as a professional mandolin player and become a collector of vintage ukuleles, all of these eventually and happily leading me to Kanile’a ‘Ukulele.”

Philip Riggio

My name is Phil. I studied art at Oregon State University where I received a BFA with an emphasis in painting, printmaking, ceramics and metal sculpture. I play mandolin, ukulele and piano in my spare time. I also play baseball in the Oahu Baseball League. I like to surf and hike whenever I get the chance. I currently live in Kailua. I have been woodworking for 15 years.

Kevin Ito

My name is Kevin. I was born and raised on the island of Oahu and grew up in the town Aiea. My interests include drawing, painting, woodworking and music of all types. I also like to hike, fish, dive and surf. I started building ukes in 2004 for G string. Within the three years I was there I went from milling to assembly, to finishing, and finally final set up. In 2007, I moved over to Kanile’a ‘Ukulele and started in the finishing department. I’m currently being cross trained in milling and assembly. For me, building ukes is one of the best jobs I’ve had.